Overview

Capricorn Cap Anderson has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured in a fall, Cap is forced to attend the local middle school. Although he knows a lot about Zen Buddhism, nothing has prepared him for the politics of public school.

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Overview

Capricorn Cap Anderson has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured in a fall, Cap is forced to attend the local middle school. Although he knows a lot about Zen Buddhism, nothing has prepared him for the politics of public school.

Editorial Reviews

VOYA
- Laura Panter

Capricorn Anderson is different from other thirteen-year-olds. He has never watched television, never heard of a Starbucks, and never attended a public school, but he knows how to drive a car. Cap and his hippie grandmother Rain's lifestyle is reminiscent of a 1960s farm commune. Rain is Cap's only family, friend, and teacher until a tragic accident lands Rain in the hospital, forcing Cap to live with strangers. Before Cap can blink, he is enrolled at Claverage Middle School with students who make him a target for their ridicule. Cap's strange appearance and nanve ways encourage students to nominate him for class president, which at this school is not an honor or sign of popularity but instead an age-old joke. The in crowd sets out to ensure that Cap fails at every endeavor, especially the Halloween dance, but the joke is on them. Students stop laughing at him and begin revering Cap because of his pure heart and immeasurable patience. Before long, the roles are reversed, but Cap is no longer there to witness the change in his peers. Korman creates an intricate novel in which goodness and strength of character prevail over the shortsightedness of others. Readers are reminded that the underdog can win without conforming to the constraints of society. Through chapters that alternate characters' points of view, readers gain insight into the turmoil that each person is experiencing as Cap influences their lives. Teens will relate to these characters whether it is the jock, the nerd, or the outcast.

Children's Literature

How many 13-year-old kids living in America can say that they have NEVER watched television? Probably very few. Cap Anderson can say it, however, with all the honesty in the world! Living on an almost abandoned alternative farm commune, his entire life has provided Cap with a childhood distinctly different from others; he was homeschooled, had no telephone, and was therefore oblivious to the generally accepted ways of the world. When his only companion on the commune (his grandmother, Rain) is hospitalized, Cap is sent to live with a former inhabitant of the commune and her snarky teenage daughter, who is less than receptive to Cap’s unusual ways. Sadly, many of the students at his public school decide to capitalize upon his ignorance by attempting to make a fool of him at every opportunity. Interestingly enough, they turn out to be the fools! Written in an alternating chapter format, this book is engaging even though it plays heavily on such classic characters as the class nerd, the reluctant hero, and well off, popular class bullies. The author has written over fifty young adult novels and lives in Long Island. All in all, this is a recommended read. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan

Kirkus Reviews

Thirteen-year-old Capricorn "Cap" Anderson has only left the Garland Farm Commune (founded 1967) with his grandmother ("Rain") a few times for supplies. He doesn't know what TV is like, and he's never held money in his hand. When Rain falls from a plum tree and has to spend two months in the hospital, Cap gets his first real taste of the confusing, "real" world of 2007. Fortunately, his caseworker Mrs. Donnelly spent a few of her childhood years at Garland, and she knows what he's in for. Unfortunately, there's this tradition at Claverage (C-average) Middle School in which the eighth-grade class elects the strangest kid and biggest nerd to be Class President. They don't come any stranger than Cap, and Zach Powers and his clique do their level best to make Cap's life hell. Claverage gets a taste of peace, love and understanding it won't soon forget. Korman's novel narrated by the good, the bad and the only slightly involved is his usual smart, funny, slightly skewed realism. Tweens will definitely identify and could view their grandparents in a whole new light. (Fiction. 9-14)

Meet the Author

More by this Author

Gordon Korman is one of the most popular young adult and middle grade authors writing today. He published his first book at the young age of fourteen and has been going strong ever since. A tireless self-promoter, Gordon is constantly traveling across the country to visit different schools. He and his wife, a teacher, live on Long Island with their three children.

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Schooled is an amazing book

Schooled Book Review<BR/>By: Lyndsey Stevens<BR/> Schooled is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. This book confusing yet it was so capturing that I couldn¿t wait to turn the page, to see what would happen next. Schooled was defenetaily one of my favorite books I have ever read and all in all I really loved it. This book was about a boy named Capricorn Andrews and you see this teenager wasn¿t any old teenager, he was a hippie that lived in Garland. Along the way Capicorn moves in with a family for a few mounths and learns about all a teenager needs to know, but he just does everything a little bit diffrently. Schooled¿s genre is young adult. I think the theme of this book was always be yourself and if people like you enough they will take you as is. If you like an interesting realistic book then you should deffenitly read Schooled.

10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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So Cute.

This is such a cute book. Good for kids in middle school, but I am in high school and loved it! This book will make you think about your life. I guarantee anyone who reads it will love it!

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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Writerly79

Posted April 19, 2010

Schooled is Cool!

My nine year old son read Schooled and loved it so much he asked me to read it too. I thought it was a great book for his age group and maybe for a little bit older kids too. The main character, Capricorn Anderson, is an eighth grader and it takes place in junior high school so that is probably the ideal age group, but I think many ages will like it. I even really enjoyed it as an adult. This book shows what happens when someone that is very different is placed within a junior high school. Cap is "a hippie" raised on a farm commune by his grandmother and has no real experience with the outside world. He starts out being a target for ridicule at his new school. He feels like an alien. But throughout the book, he develops an understanding for his new environment and the other kids in the school develop and understanding for him and soon he becomes one of the most popular kids in the school. It is interesting because it changes point of view every chapter. Each chapter is narrated by a new person. It's a unique premise and story. I think it teaches understanding and takes a strong stand against bullying in schools, two very important lessons for kids.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted June 20, 2013

Great book

I am 11 years old and have read Schooled over 20 times. Though my lexile reading range is extremly high I thought this book was quite easy. To get more feedback I asked my sister to read it (she is 9) she said it was just right for the average or above fifyh grader. I also gave the book to my mom to read and at nearly 40 and a teacher she agreed that the story line was very well thought through and thought that age 9+ is the most appropriate age for reading. The stojry is about an 8th grader named Capricorn Anderson.After living on a hippie commune all his life when his grand mother falls oit of a tree he is forced to live in a world he has only set foot in to buy supplies. I highly recomend this book forany one who loves a good novel. It defenatly deserves five stars

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Love

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thenewyouktimes

Posted February 5, 2012

Great!!!

A Great book for young readers! And it Also teaches them some lessons.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 22, 2012

recomended for new students

The book Schooled didn't always hold my interest , even though the story is humorous, touching , and sometimes annoying. The plot is about a teenager Capricorn who was raised by his hippie grandmother. Cap has very little contact with the outside world never watched television, never tasted pizza, never handled money, or even had a freindship with someone his age. Capricorn was unlike any other character. He is a strange character. His simple minded character in this story were so unreal. Zach is a bully who spitball people for fun. Hugh is very unlikable. He has no sense of loyalty . He will throw anybody under the bus.

Because i coudln't relate to any of the other characters , it doesn't mean i wouldn't recommend it to any of those who have to face hard times in life or a new kid in school.

2 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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cbz99

Posted November 1, 2011

Schooled

I thouhght that this was a good book I recomend it to anyone that is going into a new school and from grades 4th through 6th. I thought it was funny. It kept me very engaged at times I never wanted to put it down.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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bookgirl888

Posted April 28, 2011

So-So

This book was slightly interesting in the beginning, but as I got further into it, I just couldn't read anymore. The plot and structure is very clever, but this book just wasn't my style. Even though, you may still want to give this a try.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 4, 2010

Schooled one of the best books I have ever read!

Once I saw this book I wasnt to sure if I was going to like it but at the begining there was an amazing hook and it kept me reading! Capricorn Anderson was like a lost puppy in his new school. He had no idea about anything and he didnt understand when people where mean to them. I thought this was very interesting. I also found some things funny by the wasy he reacted. This book teaches you a life lesson and I recomend it for all ages

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Schooled is Great!

Title: Schooled<BR/>Author: Gordon Korman<BR/><BR/>3 Things I liked about the story:<BR/>1. I liked the story, because it was told from different points of view.<BR/>2. The story was understandable.<BR/>3. The events in the story were funny.<BR/>3 Things I didn¿t like about the story<BR/> The book was really good, I really liked it.<BR/>My Book Review:<BR/> If you are looking to read a humorous book, then Schooled is the book you¿re looking for. The story is about a boy, Capricorn Anderson, who was raised by his hippie grandmother Rain. He thought that his life was perfectly normal, he did farm chores, he was homeschooled, he had never watched TV, and he had never heard of things that other kids consider normal. When Rain suddenly breaks her hip, and is unable to take care of Cap, he is forced to go live with a Social Services Agent, Floramundi, whose own parents had lived at Garland. The book tells of how the whole school he is forced to attend, learns to accept him and his strange ways of life.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted March 24, 2014

Capricorn Anderson is a hippie who has been home schooled by his

Capricorn Anderson is a hippie who has been home schooled by his grandma. He has never eaten pizza, watched TV, or even heard of a wedgie. One day Cap’s grandma has to go to the hospital so a school counselor takes him in to stay. While he stays there, he attends Claveridge Middle School. Cap is a vegetarian Buddhist who listens to 60’s music, wears tie-died clothes, practices T’ai Chi, and has long, unkept hair. While attending Claveridge Middle School, he gets elected as eighth grade president. How does that go? I personally loved this book because it’s funny and Gordon Korman is a great author. This was one of the best books I have ever read.I recommend this book to everybody! If you like comedy than this book is waiting for you read it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 12, 2014

Nice

Pretty good book. Very touching Very sweet. If i could do it I'd give it four and a half stars.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 23, 2013

Amazing Book. HIGHLY Recommended

This book is amazing! Love it! Please read! It is a very interesting book. Highly reccommended. I loved this book and I encourage you to read it :)

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted November 17, 2013

Great

Great book, a slight of sketchy ending, but all in all a very good book. Recomend for young and old readers

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted October 9, 2013

Sarah

It's ok

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 19, 2013

Great Book

I had to read this book during summer break and I loved it! I think this is a great book for anyone to read.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted July 22, 2013

It was great!!!

I honestly hate reading. Most of the time i will pick up a book and read the first page and say no. But this is a great book. It shows you the story from different point of views and is very well written, i reccomend this book to everybody!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted June 27, 2013

Love it so far

I have to read this book for my summer reading to go into 6 grade. So I would recomend this book to rising 5 graders like me. So far Capricorn or Cap some might call him is living in this community that has almost no connection to the real world.then his grandmother rain falls from an tree and brakes her hip. So cap has no guardian and has to go to real school bc he can't be homeschooled and he is staying with a guy whos parents use to live in the same comunitie he lives in now. Sorry for writing so much when you read it you will want to too:)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted June 4, 2013

Great Read for Kids

I think that this book is great. It shows kids that they hav to be greatful for what they have and apprrcieate it

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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